Movers & Shakers

Common Securitization Solutions (CS) hires Susan Gueli as CTO

Susan Gueli

Seasoned technology leader with more than 30 years of mortgage industry experience Susan Gueli has joined Common Securitization Solutions (CSS), CSS is a joint venture owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that enables the issuance of mortgage-backed securities, as chief technology officer (CTO) and executive vice president. Gueli will be a member of the CSS Executive Committee and will report to Tony Renzi, CSS’s chief executive officer.

“CSS is very pleased to welcome Susan to our executive management team,” said Renzi. “CSS is the technological backbone of the agency mortgage-backed security (MBS) market, administering $5 trillion in agency MBS, and our CTO position is among the most important in all of housing finance. I’m thrilled that Susan is on board to set the vision and guide the technological future of CSS both today and in a post-conservatorship world.”

Gueli brings a wealth of executive expertise to her CTO role. Previously she held a series of increasingly senior roles with Nationwide, which includes eight years as chief information officer of Nationwide Financial, and serving as chief information officer of Nationwide’s Infrastructure & Operations. Most recently, she was chief technology officer of Nationwide’s Program & Application Services where she led inhouse application development, digital transformation, shared services, and a team of more than 3,000 IT professionals.

First Mutual Bank promotes Tammy Belcher to President

Tammy Belcher

First Mutual Bank (FMB), an independent depositorowned bank affiliated with First Mutual Holding Co. (FMHC) has appointed veteran banking professional Tammy Belcher as president. Belcher will assume her new role on January 4, 2021. She will replace Robert J. Doyle who moves into the newly created role of SVP, special assets for FMHC. Blecher will represent the bank throughout the region and have ultimate responsibility for the sales, operations and financial performance of the bank, the company said. “Tammy understands the importance of mutual banking to our communities and knows the impact we have on helping local residents and businesses,” said Daniel Mason, FMB board chair. “Her regional roots and extensive experience in banking, coupled with a strong focus on delivering a terrific customer experience make her the ideal candidate to lead First Mutual Bank into the future.” Belcher currently serves as the vice president, risk and compliance officer at FMB. Previously she held the same role at Belpre Savings Bank until Belpre and Doolin Security merged to form First Mutual Bank in 2018. She also has financial services operations, marketing and sales experience. Belcher holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marshall University; and completed the American Bankers Association Graduate School of Compliance.

Farmers Group promotes Maïté Irakoze Baur to CIO

Maïté Irakoze Baur

Farmers Group, Inc. promoted Maïté Irakoze Baur to the role of chief investment officer effective January 1, 2021, replacing Tom Rogers who is retiring at the end of the year, based in Woodland Hills, California at the company’s headquarters. Irakoze Baur has been leading Farmers’ insurance investments since joining the insurer group in 2016. “Maïté has a demonstrated record of success overseeing significant investment portfolios, most recently as Head of Insurance Investments,” said Scott Lindquist, chief financial officer for Farmers Group, Inc. “I am confident she will continue to leverage her experience and extensive knowledge to oversee our various investments to help benefit Farmers and its customers. I’d also like to thank Tom for his countless contributions to the organization and wish him all the best in retirement.” Prior to joining Farmers, Irakoze Baur held various positions with Zurich Insurance Group, after she joined the company in 2005. Her most recent role was Head of Investment Mandates and Treasury in Investment Management Switzerland responsible for implementing the investment strategy for various Zurich balance sheets based in Switzerland; and oversaw local balance sheets’ portfolios and liquidity management since 2011. “I look forward to working with all stakeholders to further optimize the investment portfolio and support Farmers strategy,” said Irakoze Baur.